Documentaries are generally less popular form of visual entertainment, especially when compared to main-stream movies. This is mainly because documentaries are generally believed to be boring and are thought to lack the entertainment and commercial element. But it is also a fact that documentaries are one of the best sources of gaining knowledge by observing facts and events. It is not that all documentaries are entertaining, but most of them are interesting in a way that they can help you to change your mind about certain things, and helps to bring a positive change in your surrounding and to the world.

Some of the highlighted characteristics that a good documentary must possess are:

The topic must be different from daily life issues

The documentary must have some useful information (that shocks or amuses you in some way)

It must have the power to grab your attention

Here are some documentaries which are considered as must see documentaries based on the rating of higher than 8.0/10 on IMDb.

Top 8 Must See Documentaries

1

Home (2009) – How We Are Destroying the Earth – Our Beautiful Home!

Produced by

Luc Besson and Denis Carot

Directed by

Yann Arthus Bertrand

Written by

Isabelle Delannoy, Yann Arthus Bertrand, Yen le Van and Denis Carot.

Awards received

Won Victoria and Tasmania Gold Award in 2009

Won international Film Music Critics Wward in 2009.

Nominated for Cesar awards in 2010.

IMDb rating

8.6/10

Summary

In this movie, the disturbance in the ecological balance by the human race is beautifully captured. This documentary revolves around how human activities are disrupting the eco-system and protective barriers. The shooting of this documentary is completed in many aerial places of the world. The basic concept was to identify the threatening effects imposed over the ecosystem and how to optimize the recovery of earth. This documentary of 120 minutes has gained a lot of appreciation across the world.

2

Senna (2010) – The Story of 3-Times F1 World Championship Winner

Produced by

James Gay Rees, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner

Directed by

Asif Kapadia

Written by

Manish Pandey

Awards received

Won BAFTA Film Award in 2012

Won Austin Film Critics Award in 2011.

Won British Independent Film Award in 2011

Won Evening Standard British Film Award in 2012

Won GFCA (Georgia Film Critics Association) award in 2012

IMDb rating

8.6/10

Summary

Ayrton Senna is the highlight of this documentary. He was 3-times Brazilian motor racing champion. The documentary revolves around his life story and specifically his death in an accident when he was just 34 years old. The documentary has been shot from the videos and track footages provided by his family and friends. No formal type of commentary is used in this documentary.

3

Baraka (1992) – The True story of Human Religion and Life

Produced by

Mark Magidson

Directed by

Ron Fricke

Written by

Geneveive Nicholas and Constantine Nicholas

Awards received

Won award in Montreal World Film Festival in 1992

Nominated in American Cinemas Editors, USA in 1994

IMDb rating

8.6/10

Summary

This documentary has gained much popularity and critical acclamation due to its non-narrative attribute or any voice-over. The shoot has been completed in 24 countries of the world from where the textures of human activities and natural events are compiled in a beautiful way. Special techniques of photography skills such as time lapse and slow motion have been incorporated in this documentary of 96 minutes.

4

The Cove (2009) – Killing of Dolphins and Eventually Humans

Produced by

Paula DuPre Pesman and Fisher Stevens

Directed by

Louie Psihoyos

Written by

Mark Monroe

Awards received

Won Oscar Awards in 2010

Won EDA Awards in 2010

Won BSFC Award in 2009

Won Critics’ Choice Awards in 2010

And 30 more awards.

IMDb rating

8.5/10

Summary

The main story line covered in this documentary is the killing of dolphins in Japan. The attention is diverted to the fact that the ratio of dolphin killings has been significantly increased in the past few years. In addition, documentary also discussed the unnoticed hazard of mercury intoxication from the consumption of dolphin flesh.

5

Samsara (2011) – The Story of Exploring the World

Produced by

Mark Magidson

Directed by

Ron Fricke

Written by

Mark Madigson and Ron Fricke

Awards received

Won Dublin Film Critics Award in 2012

Nominated for DFCS Awards in 2012

Nominated for COFCA Awards in 2013

Nominated for IMFCA awards in 2012

IMDb rating

8.4/10

Summary

This documentary is also non-narrative in nature. The theme of this documentary is to extend the learning of human experiences and earth from a step further from the Baraka. Samsara is the narration of human nature, its secrets and depth as well as the spirituality as well as disaster zones. This documentary of 102 minutes is shot in 25 countries over a period of 5 years and will reveal to you some miraculous natural wonders, sacred grounds and industrial complexes.

6

Inside job (2010) – Story of US Financial Meltdown

Produced by

Charles Ferugson and Audrey Mars

Directed by

Charles Ferugson

Narrated by

Matt Damon

Awards received

Won Oscar Award in 2011

Won EDA Award in 2011

Won DGA Award in 2011

Won NBR Award in 2010

Won NSFC Award in 2011

And nominated for 18 awards.

IMDb rating

8.3/10

Summary

This documentary is comprised of five parts. The basic idea is to show the side of corruption in the world of finance across the USA due to which many people faced a lot of problems, they discussed the root cause of this corruption and its sources. The five parts in this documentary are as follows,

How we got there: It is the first part of inside job, this part explains the loan crisis in the financial breakout.

The bubble: It is the second part in which the actual cause is identified such as the bank’s assets were more than the money borrowed from investment banks.

The crisis: This part showed the global paralysis of the financial world.

Accountability: This part showed that the honest and truthful workers stand against this corruption and left their jobs which cause a serious effect over the working environment.

Where we are now: An overall idea of the current situation in which the current status of the labor was discussed, that many of the workers have removed from their assigned jobs in this era.

7

Sicko (2007) – Standard of Healthcare for Sick in United States

Produced by

Michael Moore and Maegan O’Hara

Directed by

Michael Moore

Written by

Michael Moore

Awards received

Won Critics’ Choice Award in 2008

Won Eddie Award in 2008

Won CFCA Award in 2007

And 13 more awards, also nominated for Oscar.

IMDb rating

8.1/10

Summary

This documentary is related with the health care and management system (pharmaceutical industry and health insurance), a comparison has been done between the profitable health organizations of US with the non-profitable organization of UK.

8

Exit through the Gift Shop (2010) - Graffiti Artists At Work

Produced by

Holly Cushing and Jamie D’Cruz

Directed by

Banksy

Narrated by

Rhys Ifans

Awards received

Won Austin Film Critics Award in 2010

Won CFCA Award in 2010

Won DFCS Award in 2010

Won Independent Spirit Award in 2011

And 20 more awards, also nominated for Oscar.

IMDb rating

8.1/10

Summary

This is a story about a French immigrant, Thierry Guetta. He moved to Los Angeles and develops a craziness for street art. He takes his camera everywhere with himself to capture the beauty and life in streets of Los Angeles. This documentary beautifully depicts the colors and dark shades of street artists and their art.